Beards have been a popular trend in men’s style in the last few years. For unevenly toned beards or aged beards that contain grey hairs, beard dyes are some of the best options men have. To choose the best beard dye, you need to understand the differences between the types of beard dyes.
There are semi-permanent, permanent, temporary, and natural or even organic beard dyes available on the market and each type has different characteristics. With a little trial and error, you should be able to find the best beard dye for your needs. Here is a list of the best products available for dyeing your beard, based on user reviews and ratings.
What to Consider When Buying Beard Dye
Finding the best beard dye products doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take a bit of research. After all, if you choose the wrong color dye, your mistake is not something you can hide. Sure, you can try your best and wash out the dye with products suited for the task, but this will take a few weeks. Your only other option would be to shave off your beard. So, consider these factors when you head to the store or Amazon to purchase the best men’s beard dye.
A. The Color:
It shouldn’t be surprising that color is the most important thing to consider when it comes to hair dye. Selecting the right beard dye color isn’t as simple as it seems. For example, you would not want the hair on your beard to be dark blonde if your head hair is brown.
Standard beard dye colors come in black, brown, blonde, and red. However, you will soon find that there is a number of varying shades for each of these color categories. The color you want depends on your intent. If you want coverage for gray hairs, only certain colors offer that. Are you looking to change it up and go for a completely new color? Make sure the hair on your head matches.
Generally speaking, there are a few standard guidelines to follow when it comes to choosing the right tint kit for your beard hair. First, try to choose a shade that matches your natural hair color. If you are trying to cover gray hairs, choose a shade that is a few tones lighter than your natural beard. Choosing a slightly lighter color is much better than one that is way too dark.
Men with black hair should opt for a dark brown tint kit. Blondes should stick with their natural color.
B. The Ingredients:
Are you looking for the best natural beard dye? It can be difficult to find a good product without toxic additives. We prefer products with plant-based ingredients that are free from chemicals. If the beard dye is also easy to apply, that is another bonus. Ammonia is an example of one of the most common ingredients used in beard dyes to open the cuticle and get close to the hair follicle. Make sure you are careful using products with ammonia, as it can cause skin irritation and eye irritation when used in large quantities. If you are unsure of what kind of dye to pick, choose a hypoallergenic one for sensitive skin. We recommend doing an allergy test before use by applying a small portion to your skin. Wait a day or so to see if you get skin irritation. If not, the product is safe for you to use.
C. Permanent or Semi-Permanent:
Do you want a permanent (aka long-lasting) beard hair dye or are you looking for something that will come out after a few weeks’ worths of washes? To give you an idea of what we mean, a permanent hair dye results in a color tint that will last between several weeks to several months. You want to make sure the color is a good match for your natural hair before you apply it. A permanent hair dye comes in handy because it doesn’t require much maintenance. In contrast, semi-permanent hair dye is best for touch ups and washes out easily.
The type of dye you choose is up to your personal preference. If you are new to hair dyeing and are unsure of what color matches your beard, a semi-permanent dye is probably your best option.
D. Easy to Apply:
While this might sound obvious, you would be surprised at how complicated using a tint kit can be. How can you find a beard dye that is easy to apply? Investing in a tinted beard shampoo or cream hair dye are both good options. Be thorough and take note of everything you will have to do to achieve your desired results. It is likely that you will need disposable gloves, mixing bowls, and a brush to apply the dye. You may also want to purchase a moisturizing beard shampoo to restore your hair after the dyeing process.
How to Prepare for Your First Beard Dye Application
Do not shower before you dye your beard. When your facial hair is full of natural oils, it is much easier for your hair follicles to absorb the dye. Keeping some natural oils in your hair is also a good way to prevent skin irritation. The same thought process applies to dyeing the hair on your head and eyebrows as well.
If you can, wait a day or two from your last shower before you try to apply any sort of dye to your hair. It is also important to note that if this is your first time dyeing your beard hair, do not attempt it before a large event. For example, if you want to dye your beard before a major event like taking photographs or going on a job interview, make sure to do it at least a few days beforehand. This way, if anything goes wrong in the dyeing process, you have time to fix it. We will elaborate on the best time to dye your beard hair later on in this article.
After your beard is primed for the dye, there are a few steps you should take for precautionary measures. Remember that even if this dye is made from natural ingredients, it can stain whatever it comes into contact with (e.g. skin and fabric). Put on an old t-shirt you don’t care about. Do not dye your facial hair while shirtless; if the dye comes into contact with your skin, it could take quite a while to come off. It is not safe to use hair dye remover directly on your skin.
A good rule of thumb is to have plenty of prepped paper towels on hand. Make sure to tear off several paper towels from the roll before you begin your dyeing process. If you accidentally splash any dye on your skin, you can wipe it off with a wet paper towel immediately.
Latex gloves are another must-have when you are dying head hair and facial hair. They will keep the dye from staining the skin on your hands and nails and keep you safe from harsh chemicals. Some companies provide latex gloves with the dye kit and others do not. Make sure to check the box dye you are buying if it has gloves. If the dye kit does not come with gloves, make sure to pick up a pair.
The last item you will need when you are dyeing your beard hair is a good moisturizing shampoo. However, you do not want to use any type of shampoo. You will need to buy a color treatment shampoo. The color of your beard is estimated to last for two weeks on average before you need another color treatment. If you use a shampoo specifically designed to elongate hair coloring, you will not have to touch up your dye as often. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Beard Dye Reviews: The Best 9 Beard Dyes in 2019
Alright, now that you know about what you should consider before your purchase, it’s time to look at the list. Our choices for the best beard dyes in 2019 were not chosen lightly. Ease of use, longevity, customer reviews, ingredients, and quality were all taken into account. Here they are, in no particular order.
1. Just for Men Color Gel for Mustache & Beard
This option from Just for Men is perfect for everyday men who want a fuller look for their beard and mustache. The beard dye covers up unevenness and grey hairs easily with a simple-to-use brush. This Just for Men beard dye lasts a long time and has a natural-looking appearance that won’t look unnatural. The product is ammonia-free and lacks other harmful chemicals that would irritate the skin on your face. This beard dye is available in blonde, light-medium brown, medium brown, medium-dark brown, and real black.
Customers note that this is a long-lasting dye that is gentle on the skin; however, some mention the colors are slightly darker than what is pictured and listed on the box.
2. The Henna Guys Henna Beard Dye for Men
The Henna Guys brand sells a fantastic, chemical-free, and 100% natural henna-based beard and mustache dye. The brand makes vegan and non-GMO beard dye. In addition, this organic beard dye may also be used for the brows and hair. This is a perfect option for anyone who wants to dye their beard naturally, without having to fear a chemical reaction. Each container of the beard dye comes with 100 grams of henna and 100 grams of indigo powder. The Henna Guys beard dye is available in a wide assortment of colors: jet black, auburn, burgundy, dark brown, light brown, mahogany, medium brown, natural red, wine red, and orange-red.
3. Grizzly Mountain Organic & Natural Beard Dye
The non-irritating formula of the Grizzly Mountain organic and natural beard dye is the right pick for anyone who focuses on using vegan products. The 100% natural herbal powder is infused with emblic, false daisy, henna, indigo, and neem tree. These ingredients are gentle, non-harsh, and hypoallergenic. The Grizzly Mountain beard dye is available in various hues of brown. Thus, it is easy to select the brown shade that best suits your needs. You may also supplement this product with the Grizzly Mountain organic base pre-treatment.
4. Godefroy Barber’s Choice 3 Application Beard and Mustache Color
This beard dye is considered the best beard dye for anyone who wants a quick color treatment at home that will last a long time. It should last approximately 6 weeks long. The product is ammonia-free, so it shouldn’t be too irritating on the skin. Godefroy has a natural look that will effectively cover up 100% of your grey beard and mustache woes. The product comes in capsule size amounts. One capsule is enough to cover just your mustache. Two capsules of the dye can cover up a partial beard. Three capsules contain enough dye to cover up a full beard. The Godefroy Barber’s Choice dye is sold in the colors: dark brown, jet black, medium light brown, and natural black.
5. Blackgel Best Styling & Gray Hair Coverage for Men
If you are interested in dyeing your beard but don’t want permanent results, the Blackgel temporary beard dye may be the best beard dye for you to check out. It may also be a fitting product to try if you are interested in permanent results, but haven’t committed to it yet. This is a two-in-one product, as it can dye your hair and beard black, and it can also be used as a styling gel. Barbers and hairdressers recommend this product to clients for a quick cover-up as it efficiently (yet temporarily) dyes grey beard hair. It lasts all day long and at the end of the day it can easily be rinsed out from your beard with some shampoo. The product is alcohol-free, and therefore it is not too abrasive or itchy.
6. Clairol Natural Instincts for Men
This product brings back your natural beard color and evenly blends back the grey hairs. It is suitable for coloring a beard and mustache, to fix the tone, or to remove grey hairs. This non-irritating beard dye is designed with natural ingredients, such as aloe vera and vitamin E, which help to the color tone of your beard. The Clairol Natural Instincts for Men is a non-permanent coloring option. The beard dye lasts for up to 28 washes, and it comes in light brown, medium brown, dark brown, and brown-black colors.
7. Bigen EZ Hair Color for Men
The Bigen EZ is an easy-to-use coloring product for hair and beards. The comb-in application tool makes it simple to put through your beard and your hair, to create natural-looking color results. This option for hair dyeing has limited harsh chemicals in it, as it does not contain any ammonia, and only a small amount of peroxide. This makes it far less harsh of a product. Moreover, it does not stain your skin, and it won’t make a mess everywhere thanks to the comb-in application tool. The Bigen EZ Hair Color for Men comes in dark brown and dark black colors.
8. Refectocil Cream Hair Dye
We love this versatile hair dye. Besides working well on your head hair and beard, it also works well as an eyebrow and eyelash tint. Since it does not cause as much irritation as other brands, it is good for sensitive skin. With this said, we still recommend doing a skin patch test to make sure you are not allergic to the hair dye.
As a permanent dye, Refectocil lasts about six weeks on average. This is convenient because you won’t have to hassle with frequent touch-ups. The company recommends that you let the dye sit for at least ten minutes before you rinse it out. While this is a little bit longer than most dyes take, it is well worth the wait. Finally, make sure to buy both the dye and a dye developer. They do not come together in the same package.
9. Blackbeard for Men
Have you heard about Blackbeard for Men? Both a safety-tested and hypoallergenic beard dye, it is a great pick for men with skin prone to sensitivity and irritation. You don’t need to do an allergy test before you apply it. Did we mention you can also use this product on your sideburns, mustache, and eyebrows? A product this versatile is hard to come by.
In addition to being multi-purpose, Blackbeard for Men dries quickly and is naturally water resistant after dyeing your hair. It is a popular item among men who want to cover up a few gray hairs in their beard. The only downside to the product is that it is semi-permanent. The dye lasts for twelve hours and needs to be reapplied daily.
How to Dye Your Beard: 9 Easy Steps
1. Do a Sensitivity Check
We briefly mentioned doing an allergy test earlier, but it is worth expanding upon. You also need to do a sensitivity check. You want to make sure that the dye you are using does not cause skin irritation. Using a hypoallergenic beard dye is a good way to prevent this. To test your dye, take a small amount of it and apply it to your skin. If your skin does not become irritated after twenty-four hours, wash the dye off with soap and water, and you are good to go.
2. Wash with a Beard Shampoo
Before you dye your beard, wash it thoroughly with a high-quality beard shampoo. Skip out on the conditioner. Using one would make it difficult for the dye to reach your hair follicles.
3. Use Preventative Measures to Keep the Dye from Staining Other Parts of Your Face
One way to keep the dye from staining other parts of your face is to apply a thin layer of Vaseline or lotion to your skin. Covering your skin with a moisturizing balm will keep the dye off. This will also prevent unnecessary skin irritation.
4. Mix the Dye and Developer
It’s time to mix your ingredients. When you are preparing the cream hair dye (or powder dye) and developer, following the instructions on the box is always a good rule of thumb. In most cases, all you need to do is mix the beard dye with a developer (and sometimes water). This should make enough dye to cover your natural hair and any gray hairs that you may have. Only use enough mix to cover your beard once over.
5. Apply the Dye
Most color tint kits come with a long applicator brush that enables you to apply the color evenly. Use long vertical strokes to cover all visible patches of hair, including your sideburns and mustache. While it is important to make sure you spread the dye evenly to cover your natural hair, make sure you do not get it on your skin. If your tint kit doesn’t come with an applicator brush, feel free to use a clean toothbrush to apply the dye (discard it immediately afterward). Use rubber gloves when you are applying the dye.
6. Leave the Dye In Until You Get the Color You Want
Within minutes after applying it, the dye will begin to set in. Follow the box instructions closely. You may leave the dye on a minute or two longer until you get the color you want. While some beard dye may only take ten minutes or so, some can take longer. It is common for beard dye to be left in for anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. You may have to apply the dye a second time to get the right color for darker beards.
7. Wash Out the Dye
Once the dye has set in and you have achieved the color you want, it is time to wash it out. This will prevent skin irritation from leaving the dye in too long. Furthermore, it will create a natural look once the excess dye is rinsed out.
8. Shampoo Your Beard Again if Needed
If the color tint is a little bit darker than you wanted, you may want to use a beard shampoo again.
9. Handle Your Newly-Dyed Beard with Care
Now that you have dyed your beard, we’ve got some men’s grooming tips for you. Make sure not to use too much friction when you wash or rub your beard. When you shower, rinse it lightly and gently brush it with a beard brush when it is dry. This will not only help keep the color intact, but you will look good too. Using hot water will cause the dye to fade more quickly. Wait until your beard is dry to apply men’s grooming products like gels and lotions.
Beard Dye FAQS
What is the Difference Between Beard Dye and Hair Dye?
You may be wondering what the difference between beard dye and hair dye is. The answer is that they are very similar. Both are easy to apply and effectively cover your natural hair. Many of the same chemicals and natural ingredients found in hair dye are also present in beard dye.
Most beard dyes are semi-permanent. This means that they will fade as you wash them over time. You can extend the length of the color by rinsing it instead of using a beard shampoo. Another important thing to remember is that the skin on your face is more sensitive than your scalp. The chemicals in beard dye are not as strong as a hair dye but achieve the same overall effect.
How Often Should You Dye Your Beard?
The frequency of dyeing your beard is up to your discretion. How fast your beard grows differs between each man. If you want to eliminate gray hairs at a normal rate, you should be able to by using a color tint every two to three weeks. Look at the package to see how often you should touch up the dye. Some types of beard dye specifically state there is a time window you need to wait between applications.
In addition, it is smart to do your own outside research. Spend a good deal of time looking at companies, product ingredients, grooming instructions, reading user reviews, and comparing dye colors. On average, a man’s beard will grow one inch every three days. Pay close attention to the length of your beard and brush it accordingly.
What Do I Do If I Already Used Hair Dye on My Beard?
Don’t panic. We’re not going to tell you to shave off your beard. However, we do need to be honest. By using hair dye on your beard, it is likely that you’ve damaged your hair. Since beard hair is naturally thicker and coarser than head hair, you need to use specific, gentle formulas to target your hair follicles.
Here’s how to remedy the problem:
- First, shave about a half an inch off your beard.
- Then, use a gentle dye remover to get as much hair dye out of your beard as possible.
If you are not already using beard oil, now is the time to start. You need to moisturize your skin and strengthen your hair. Adding beard dye to your already dyed beard isn’t going to help the hair growth process. It will only help with color correction. So, maintenance and the proper use of products is necessary to help your hair health bounce back.
How Can I Lighten My Beard if the Color is Too Dark?
We’re not talking about your natural color here. Lightening your natural hair color is easy with a box of dye and a set of instructions. But what should you do if you used a beard dye and your beard color turned out too dark? As soon as you notice the color beginning to turn too dark, quickly brush your beard, hop in the shower, and rinse out the dye with water and shampoo. Give more attention to the longer parts of your beard and don’t neglect the sides. After rinsing, dry your face off with a towel to remove any excess dye.
Is There a Way to Remove Beard Dye?
If you’re not happy with how the color turned out, you can always use a dye removal. As time goes on, the color will fade too.
- Start by applying a remover. Most of these products come in a foam style that is easy to apply. Lather it on your beard like shaving cream and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
- Then, hop in a hot shower. Rinse the remover out and pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Since the heat and dye removal is going to dry your beard out, it will need some TLC. As we previously mentioned, you should invest in good beard oil. Now, let it be. Don’t use a hairdryer on your beard. Heat is always damaging for hair. Allow the leftover moisture from the shower to sink in. After twenty minutes or so, your hair will dry and you will be good to go.
Is There a Good Time to Apply Beard Dye?
While there is no perfect time of day to apply beard dye, it is best to steer clear of mornings. If something goes wrong with the color or the process takes longer than you would think, you don’t want to be running late. We recommend waiting until the weekend to try out dyeing your beard. That way, if the color doesn’t look the way you wanted it to or it turns out patchy, you can fix it before work or that big event you’re going to.
Here’s another tip. While it may sound odd, avoid being in direct sunlight once the dye has set in. Skip out on functions and outdoor events for the day if possible. Prolonged exposure to sunlight could lighten your beard color as the dye is setting in.
Last but certainly not least, avoid applying beard dye right before hitting the pool or bedtime (you don’t want the dye to stain your sheets). Although chlorine is frequently used in hair dye, it strips away natural oils in your hair. Using a moisture-locking conditioner will help tremendously.
How Much Beard Dye Should I Use?
If you follow the directions on the box or bottle of dye, you should be fine. Make sure to buy enough to cover the bases. Is your beard long or short? Generally speaking, a box or small bottle of dye will give you enough to cover a beard three inches in length (when mixed with proper proportions of a developer). However, if you have very dark hair and are looking to lighten your beard color by multiple shades, consult a stylist to see how much dye you need. Keep in mind that there are pigments in your hair that cause heat and light retention. The darker your hair is, the more difficult it is to lighten.
Will Beard Dye Damage or Irritate My Skin?
The answer is no. For the most part, beard dye is gentler than your standard hair dye. Since most of the products we’ve recommended incorporate gentle, hypoallergenic, and natural ingredients, they do not cause much damage to your hair besides drying it out a little. With any men’s grooming product, we recommend fully reading the listed ingredients and customer reviews before you make your purchase. To avoid staining your skin with the beard dye, remember to apply a balm or vaseline around your beard.
Am I Able to Use Beard Balm on a Dyed Beard?
You shouldn’t have any problem with this. Again, pay attention to the ingredients in the product. Make sure they do not clash with those in the product you have already used. Most beard balms are all-natural, so you shouldn’t have to worry about that. Balms are gentle on your hair and won’t cause the dye to run. While you may notice your beard dye fading as you go through your morning rituals, this is not caused by the balm.
Should I Dye My Beard Before or After I Cut It?
Is your beard one inch in length or longer? If so, should you dye your beard beforehand, you will allow light to penetrate the hair and the tips will be darker. If you are going for consistency, this can be frustrating. Cutting your beard after you dye it can also help to even out the overall look.
Is it Expensive to Keep My Beard Dyed Year-Round?
Again, this is up to your personal preference and how fast your hair grows. How much it costs to keep your beard dyed year-round will also depend on your choice of dye and how long your beard is. The longer and thicker your beard is, the more dye you will have to use. Because there are so many variables, there is no way to judge the cost. After a few months of dyeing your beard, you will begin to get an idea of the brand you like, how often to apply it, and how fast your hair begins to grow out.
